It could actually pay to bide your time to avoid shelling out on insurance - plus you should shop around more than ever to find the best deal.

Data analysed by MoneySuperMarket showed premiums peaked at the end of the year as insurance companies took advantage of the hectic lead-up to Christmas.

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Insurers know we’re generally busy in the run-up to Christmas, and perhaps more likely to settle for the renewal quote than to shop around for a cheaper deal.

Average car insurance prices: A month-by-month breakdown

October 2016 - £569.47

November 2016 - £591.80

December 2016 - £644

January 2017 - £560

February 2017 - £544.35

March 2017 - £569.56

April 2017 - £564.17

May 2017 - £579.88

June 2017 - £587.09

July 2017 - £557.16

August 2017 - £567.85

September 2017 - £579.26

October 2017 - £577.92

"That makes it all the more important to challenge the renewal price by finding out how much less you could pay elsewhere.

“Another reason car insurance is more expensive is that some insurers don’t compete as vigorously for business at this time of year.

"This is because they have fewer staff working thanks to the seasonal holidays and don’t want large amounts business.

"But if one insurer is quoting a steep premium, then a pound to a penny there’s plenty who will charge less.